Health

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Friday, 04 February 2011 15:36

The 11th annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) will be held Feb. 7 to draw attention to the devastating toll HIV/AIDS has on African-American communities.

Over 6% African-American men will be diagnosed with HIV infection some time in their lives, as will over 3% African-American women, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Almost half of the one million Americans currently living with HIV are African-American.

Nordstrom announces Black History Month initiative

Be The Match® is a movement that engages a growing community of people inspired to help patients who need a marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant from an unrelated donor.

Nordstrom, Inc. announced today that it is recognizing Black History Month in 2011 by teaming up with Be The Match® to help raise awareness of the critical need for more African American marrow and umbilical cord blood donors.

Stopping Diabetes: Test makes it quick and easy

Thursday, 03 February 2011 16:13
Brandon A. Perry - Special to the NNPA from the Indianapolis Recorder

Avoiding diabetes is easier than many people might think.

According to Indiana University researchers, a simple blood test can help stop the onset of diabetes and reduce long-term medical costs.

The hemoglobin A1c test, which can be administered quickly in a physician’s office during a routine visit, can accurately and easily determine if a patient is pre-diabetic, or at significant risk of developing diabetes.

Hamline health law institute director named to governor's cabinet

Governor Mark Dayton appointed Lucinda Jesson, as Commissioner of Minnesota Department of Human Services. Prior to her appointment, Jesson was Director, Hamline School of Law, Health Law Institute.

“On behalf of Hamline University, I am very pleased to congratulate Professor Lucinda Jesson on her appointment to Governor Dayton’s administration,” said Hamline University President Linda Hanson. “Her extraordinary work as director of our Health Law Institute created a hub for the health care policy community in the Twin Cities and elsewhere in the Upper Midwest. As a professor in our School of Law, she has guided the next generation of legal minds in the areas of health care organization and finance, food and drug law, and health care compliance. I thank Cindy for her tremendous contribution to Hamline University, and I am confident she will be a vital asset to Governor Dayton’s team and to the state of Minnesota.”

Pertussis: New Vaccine Recommendations

Monday, 31 January 2011 14:59

Despite the availability of Tdap, a vaccine designed as a booster for adolescents and adults, pertussis cases have been increasing in Minnesota as in other parts of the country, such as California. Minnesota is in its third year of a peak pertussis wave, with more than 1,000 cases reported each year in 2008–2010. This is about 20 cases per 100,000 people in Minnesota.

In an effort to combat this persistently high level of pertussis (or whooping cough), state and federal health officials are urging physicians and their patients to make wider use of a pertussis booster vaccine called Tdap (tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis).

Minnesota dentists extend helping hand to children in need

Friday, 28 January 2011 13:05

Free dental care will be given to an estimated seven thousand children facing barriers to care through the Give Kids a Smile program on Fri., Feb. 4 and Sat., Feb. 5. Minnesota dentists across the state will open their clinic doors to provide service. This unique program matches thousand of volunteer dental professionals with children to make sure they get the treatment they need.

“We don’t want reduced government services, a family job loss or change in insurance to stand in the way of children getting the dental care they need,” said Dr. Tim Flor, president of the Minnesota Dental Association and a practicing dentist in Waseca, Minn. “Sadly, tooth decay is the number one disease in children and low-income children face unnecessary barriers to care.”

Colonoscopy Prep App for iPhone and Android Smartphone

Wednesday, 26 January 2011 17:35

Colonoscopy Prep Assistant, as its name suggests, is an app that supports a patient during the colonoscopy procedure preparation when a patient is required to ingest a liquid laxative. The app tracks the number of glasses completed and time between glasses, notifying the patient when it's time to drink their next glass. It is available free for iPhone and the Android Smartphone.

Procedure preparation apps can offer significant benefits to patients and providers. Arun Swaminath, Associate Director of the IBD Center at Columbia University Medical Center, says "Thorough bowel preparation allows me to identify the smallest polyps or cancers. In addition, good prep shortens the procedure's duration, making it safer for patients. Strict adherence to prep instructions allows for the highest quality colonoscopy."